CSKA are in a very tough period, as they are going through many setbacks. Their performance in the local championship is unsatisfactory, as they are too far away from the first place. Some of the summer signings were labeled as failures, while the tensioned cause some squad fights recently. It`s not the case that CSKA have no quality players, but the discipline is very poor. In the match against Besiktas they had a good display (probably the best so far in the season), so we should record it. Tireless full-back Kostadin Stoyanov is injured, as well as the other important full-back Yordan Minev. William Tiero and Martin Dechev, on the other hand, should be ready.
Ready and steady
Porto thrashed Rapid Wien in the Europa League Group Stage opener and now are on a mission for another 3 points. Although having some injured players (Gonzalez, Sapunaru and Rodriguez), but Porto squad is deep enough to cover some unavailable players. The presence of gifter attacker Hulk is very important for “The Dragons”, although Radamel Falcao and Silvestre Varela possess the quality to score often. Joao Moutinho and Fernando Belluschi will run the midfield, while Fucile, Rolando and Maicon will have to be responsible in the defense. Experienced Helton is keeping the goal this year, too. So far, no problems for Porto in the local championship – 6-0-0 and 13:2 goal difference.
Porto should have no problems
I`m Bulgarian and I will support CSKA for this match, but I cannot ignore the class difference between these two sides. Porto possess a number of quality players, which, on normal day, should be able to give CSKA a runaround. Hulk, Falcao, Belluschi and Moutinho are world-class footballers and it comes as no surprise that Porto are 10-0-0 so far this season (all tournaments included). I believe Porto should be one of the favourites to win Europa League. As for this game, anything except convincing win for the guests will suprise me.
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Prediction:
Tip: 2 EH (-1)
Odd: 2.70
Bookie: Bwin
Dortmund are red hot these days and since their early loss to Leverkusen in the Bundesliga (1st round), they are going from strength to strength. Barrios is one world-class striker, who could score out of nothing. Youngsters Gotze and Grosskreutz received a praise from the international coach Low and they sonn may be called to the national team. Nuri Sahin impresses with his magnificent through balls, while Kagawa is showing some attacking maturity. The defense, however, posseses some weaknesses, as Subotic and Hummels sometimes make silly mistakes.
Disappointing season so far for Sevilla
Sevilla lost to Braga in the Champions League qualifying round and that was a huge disappointment for the Spanish side. Then, in the first round of the Europa League group stage, the team lost to PSG at home (0:1) and may have put their chances beyond reach. A loss to Dortmund in Germany could cost them dear, although there are 4 matches left. Kanoute, Dragutinovic, Navas and Renato missed the game against Hercules and while Kanoute and Navas made the trip to Germany, Dragutinovic and Renato stayed in Spain.
Dortmund to continue their fine form
Dortmund have shown throughout the years that no opposition is welcomed at “Signal-Iduna” (former “Westfalenstadion”). With the help of their frantic crowd, BVB should be able to record second victory in a row in the group stage, that could boost their chances of progressing. Sevilla are with a new coach, but it`s too early for him to change anything in playing aspect – only psychical boost for the guest there will be. Good odds for Dortmund and, by the way, they are dropping everywhere.
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Prediction:
Tip: 1
Odd: 2.10
Bookie: Interwetten
Steaua is the definition of chaos at the moment. After signing more than half of Urziceni’s squad, things looked they can’t go any worse than before but it did in the end. A loss at Urziceni, a draw at home vs Astra and a loss last round at Galati, completes the figure of a lost team. After the game against Astra, coach Ilie Dumitrescu resigned and he was replaced by his assistant, Edi Iordansecu. He was also sacked after the game from Galati so now, the new coach is Marius Lacatus, him being their 4th (fourth) coach this season. They don’t have any fresh squad problems but Lacatus already announced he will chage the playing module to 4-4-2, and this could only mess the players’s head even more, since there are some players who already played on 3-4 different positions (but mainly in the same 4-2-3-1 system) this season.
Strong away
Napoli had a strange season start in Italy, being one of the worst home teams and the best away team after 5 rounds. They are coming after a 4-1 trashing of revelation Cesena and the spirits are high amongst the players. They are coming after a goalless draw against Utrecht in the first group game and they somehow need to recover the 2 points lost at home. Napoli travelled at Bucharest with the best possible squad and it is to be seen if coach Mazzarri will rotate some of the players, trying to keep them rested for the weekend game against Roma. Paolo Cannavaro suffered a small injury in training and he will have to face a late fitness test before deciding whether he will play or not.
Away win
I don’t see any bright future for Steaua, not with this dumb management. Their players’ quality is highly questionable and the players brought from Urziceni are slowly showing their limits, proving that team was nothing more but an artificial flame. After the trashing from Liverpool, I don’t expect them to do any better against Napoli but, since this is mainly a bet against Steaua since I don’t know the Italians motivation here, I will take it only with some small-medium stakes and an insurance draw. Good luck!
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Prediction:
Tip: 2 AH (0)
Odd: 1.85
Bookie: Interwetten
After good last season with Israeli title and good European campaign Hapoel this season started bad.In championship they have only 2 wins one draw and 5 losses and two of them to newcomers in the league.They receive a lot of goals and also they started with loss in first game of CL, 0:2 from Benfica.They are in bad form and with some problems in the squad and coaching stuff, but also they can’t count on huge support from the fans since stadium is big but often empty.They made in CL groups with wins against weak teams of zeleznicar and Aktobe and thanks to away win to this year also weak Salzburg.At home they draw with late goal from them.
Lyon in bad form
Lyon is also in bad form but they are CL giants.They are one of the best French teams that regularly play here and have huge experience not like Hapoel who plays here first time.It is tough to play CL games and Macabi winless that last year loosing all their games from Juventus Bayern and another French team Bordeaux.Lyon started French championship with only one win and two draws achieved at home and 4 losses from which all three away games and most recent home game with St. Etienne.But they started CL with a win against Schalke and I think they will try to build on that and regain confidence with another win away at Hapoel.
Experience will prevail
If Lyon was not in that bad form we won’t have this big odds on away win and also I would be more confident to take it, but with current situation I must take safer option with money back in case of draw.I can’t see Lyon loosing again and not to weak Hapoel team in same situation like them and without CL experience.We witness in game Bursa-Valencia what experience mean in CL and in that match hosts were in good form not like Hapoel today.Also Zilina-Chelsea and Braga-Shakhtar can be taken in consideration. Lyon can take CL more serious since they are way behind in championship and they have much quality in theire squad and they must start to deliver.
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Prediction:
Tip: 2 AH (0)
Odd: 1.64
Bookie: Gamebookers
Tottenham are looking to bounce back after 2 losses in a row. They lost 1:4 against Arsenal in extra time for the Carling Cup, in a match that both teams came out with most of their reserve players. And the other lose was in the Premiership this weekend from West Ham 1:0. I think the atmosphere will be fantastic in this first ever Champions League clash at White Hart Lane. Spurs will be looking for a first win in the Champions League and i think that they will get it in this match against Twente.
Twente left in the summer by McClaren
Steve McClaren left the club in the summer as he won the Eredivisie and i was a bit surprised about his decision as he decided to join Wolfsburg. However now manager of Twente is Michel Preud`homme, who was in charge for Standard Liege and then left the club for Gent and from Gent came to Twente. Now i don`t think that the style that they played under McClaren is the same now and i don`t think that they are as dangerous as they were last year, so i really believe that Tottenham will get the win here over Twente.
Tottenham to win
I expect a win for Tottenham here, this is their first ever White Hart Lane match in the Champions League and the atmosphere will be fantastic. The players will get extra motivation from the fans and i believe that there will be goals in this match. So i will go for the home win with asian handicap of -1.
GL!
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Prediction:
Tip: 1 AH (-1)
Odd: 2.75
Bookie: Bet365
PAO is coming after an expected loss at Barca in the first round. I won’t use that game as a base for this analyzes since even better teams than PAO were put to shame at Nou Camp, so it’s not really their fault for being outplayed. Sidney Gouvou, who scored against Barca, will miss this game due to an injury, while full backs Spyropoulos and Seitaridis recovered after some injuries and they will probably take a place on the bench. Also, defender Kante is injured and, after the latest reports, it seems coach Nioplias will retreat Gilberto Silva on a central defender position instead of playing with Boumsong. From the midfield up, there are no problems, and Katsouranis, Leto or Ninis could provide many useful balls for the lone striker Djibril Cisse.
Not impressive away
FC Kobenhavn is becoming a familiar face in the Champions League Groups in the past years. Coach Solbakken managed to build a solid side who could trouble any opponent but, this is happening mainly in their home games. They are coming after a 1-0 win against Rubin Kazan in the first round but this win is more the result of hazard than of a solid performance. Rubin missed many scoring chances and they were the better team overall, but a late strike of Dame N’doye decided the game. They are cruising again in the domestic league and they could fully focus on the CL games. Defender Ottesen will miss the game along with long term injured Nordstrand and Bergvold.
Home win
Despite their defensive missing, PAO is favorite in this game, maybe even more than the odds suggest. FCK wasn’t impressive against Rubin and they will have a difficult time in Athens. The hot atmosphere PAO fans will create is in total contradiction with the cold Scandinavian atmosphere and they can not fail to impressed by this. Quality is also in PAO’s favor and, adding this to the home factor, we have a decent bet here. Good luck!
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Prediction:
Tip: 1
Odd: 2.02
Bookie: SBOBet
Inter is coming after a late league defeat against Roma and after a hard fought draw at Twente in the first round of the group stage. It’s starting to be obvious that Benitez can’t handle the Mourinho’s legacy and he’s failing to take a stand in front of his own players, being already known the scandal between Chivu and him regarding Eto’o selfishness. Still, Inter has many experienced players who could overcome this moment and win games by themselves without the limited guidance of Rafa Benitez. Samuel, Motta and Zanetti are injured while Milito and Pandev will face some late fitness tests in order to decide whether they will play or not.
Squad problems
Werder is having a difficult season start so far, in both Bundesliga and Champions League. Ozil’s departure left a big hole in the trequartista position since Marin is not yet the kind of player who could fill in that hole. Also, they were hit by injuries and had to deal without the CD pair Naldo-Mertesacker for the beginning of the season. Merte was recovered and he played in the last league game against Hamburg but Schaaf doesn’t have too many reasons to be happy, since he will have to build a competitive first eleven against Inter, without 6 of his regulars. Naldo, Pasanen, Boenisch, Fritz, Frings and Pizarro will all miss this game for Werder.
Home win
Two teams in not so great form and with many missing players will meet tonight but it is obvious Inter has much more depth in the squad than Werder. The Germans usually perform better at home and I don’t see how they could go away even with one point from Milano. The odds are low but for a reason and I am willing to splash some medium stakes on Inter’s win. Good luck!
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Prediction:
Tip: 1
Odd: 1.62
Bookie: Blue Square
Czech republic are host of this world championship and already book place in quarter finals beside yesterday loss from Spain.But I think they will be motivated to win this game since with loss they will face USA in next round and that will be over for them.With Australia they have better chances even I doubt they can pass through.Anyway they are hosts and they are obligated to play for win and for theire fans which they disappoint against Spain not by the loss but because of 20 points margin and only 4 scored points in last quarter.They are good team and beside losses against European teams Russia and Spain they won all other matches aginst Korea, Argentina and Japan.
Disappointment of the tournamen
Brasil is disappointment of this championship and beside close wins against weak Mali and OT win against Japan they lost all other games including loss from Korea.Russia and Spain beat them convincingly and another loss is expected today.They will fight for quarterfinals but they will be tired after yesterdays overtime with Japan.They don’t play good against European teams and it will be harder since Czech are hosts and will have fans on theire back.
More scoring teams than the line suggests
Both of these teams played some big unders in their group matches and because of that line is low. I expect more fast and scoring game today since Czech are more offensive team that shown so far and also Brasil.They both find their scoring in games with Korea and Japan and also preparation games support this with results like:Brasil-Cuba 73:79,Brasuil-Poland 75:71,Brasil-Argentina 77:71,Brasiul-Japan 71:83 and Czech-Greece 70:70,Czech-greece 110:61,Czech-USA 79:96 and Czech-China 71:65.If game stay close till the end some free throws and why not another overtime can be in our favore.
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Prediction:
Tip: Over 132
Odd: 1.96
Bookie: Pinnacle
Cardiff has always been a dominant home team,but this season they are much likely to be a `typical` home team. They are almost unbeatable in Wales having had both of their losses away from home,which were back to back defeats. Craig Bellamy is very likely to miss 3rd straight game along with midfielder Olofinjana. Jay Bothrody,however,did not stop the engines regardless of who he`s partnered. Andrew Keogh is likely to partner him up-top,meaning that Cardiff still has a lot to replace their absentees.
Burley`s side looks too short
Crystal Palace have snapped their 2 games unbeaten run this weekend by a 5 goal defeat to Derby County. Things have not gone better for Palace since weekend : Last seasons top scorer Darren Ambrose has been joined by this season`s top scorer James Vaugham in absent list. Vaughan will miss cause he`s suspended. These two absentees will leave Palace too short up-top and will make their task even tougher against Cardiff who conceded just 7 goals so far this season and seem to have built a good partnership at the back.
A clear home win.
Both teams have missings but hosts have a lot to replace. Moreover,hosts are on a better run,made a better start to season and the hosts have the quality on their side. With no potent threat up-top,Palace look nowhere near being competitive for a win against Cardiff in Wales.
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Prediction:
Tip: 1 AH (-1)
Odd: 2.00
Bookie: StanJames
QPR had a great start and are currently 1st after 8 matches, having 7wins and 1 draw. Their goal difference is 22:2 and that is very impressive for the Championship. At home they have played 4 matches and have won them all with goal difference of 12:0. Now they meet a strange side in Millwall and i expect from QPR to continue their dominance in this match by winning comfortably.
Millwall with good start.
Millwall had a good start of the season, they won their 1st 2 games with goal difference of 7:0. However since then they play on ups and downs, they are currently 4 matches without a win in the Championship including a very bad loss at home to Watford 1:6 which will still be in their minds and the team overall is currently low on confidence as they were eliminated from the cup and haven`t won for 4 matches in the Championship.
QPR to win comfortably
I expect a comfortable win for QPR, they made a terrific start in the Championship and look like they are on their way to the Premiership if they continue to dominate like this. Neil Warnock is doing a great job there and i expect from him to take them up. Many of the other favorites are underperforming at the moment and losing points so now is the moment for his team to get a good advantage on the 1st place and get a big streak of wins. So i expect a win for QPR with at least 2 goals difference.
GL!
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Prediction:
Tip: 1 EH (-1)
Odd: 2.88
Bookie: Paddy Power
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